Uberti 1858 Range report and observations

[Gunruner]

Hello Folks, Took my new Uberti[BU] 1858 Remington to the range yesterday. Found that 451 round balls are TOO small for the cylinder as they would fall in. Used 3F GOEX and loaded the first cylinder at home using my scale, 28 grains and 454 round ball. I had #10 and #11 Remington caps. The #10's fit perfect and the #11 wasn't far off. I used the #11's for several cylinders full and they stayed on and functioned 100% but I'd use #10 in the field. First 6 round group with the weighed 28 gr. charge was 5-6" low and windage was perfect. It grouped 2-2.5" at 25 yaerds from the bench! That's outstanding for any revolver, IMO. I'm cheap so I used a cartridge case that throws 30 gr.+- for the remainder of my shooting. The 30 gr. charge brought the group up to approx. 4" below POA and group spread to 3-4" but stayed perfectly centered. This revolver is very tight and I had to wipe clean between 12 shot runs as it really tightened up. I didn't use wads as I don't have any and used my homemade lube over the ball. My homemade is harder and thicker than crisco or bore butter. I was thinking of purchasing a conversion cylinder but with the $ I'd save I could shoot 1500+ round ball. This was my first time shooting a 1858 Uberti but I've shot the 1860 Colt Pietta copies alot. I think, just my opinion, that the Remington copy is harder to clean at home than the Colt type. That full frame requires alot of scrubbing to get all the nooks and crannies clean of the black soot. Anyway, I just wanted to give some info on the new(after 2002) Uberti; Forged frame, #10 sized nipples, light 3# trigger pull, 454 or larger diameter ball required, front sight dovetailed to adjust for windage although mine was perfect for me, dark black blueing with high polish and excellent fitted grips. This was a Taylors import that I picked up on Gunbroker NIB....................Mike

 

[Tommygunn]

Uberti recommends .454 balls, while Pietta uses .451.
Uberti does make nice guns.
One of the drawbacks of the Remmington design is it is more difficult to break down the internal parts. However, it is easier to change cylinders on the Remmie than on the Colt.
Each design has advantages and disadvantages. Me? I like 'em both. To each his own I say.
Nice looking replica in that phot there.
Keep your powder dry and happy shooting!

 

[arcticap]

Thanks for that very nice report!
So what is your homemade lube composed of?
Does it have extra beeswax in it?
Inquiring minds want to know....

 

[Gunruner]

Yep, Heavy on the beeswax and light on the vegetable oil or crisco. I don't care for the smell of the bore butter and my homemade is scentless. Don't use butter flavor crisco unless you like being followed by varmints (LOL)....Mike P.S. I just melt beeswax and crisco 50/50 Pint each with a shot glass of vegetable oil. I put into 4 oz. plastic bottles and allow to harden. I use pocket knife to smear the lube on top the ball. Stuff is really hard below 40 degrees and stays put up to about 85-90. You can increase bees wax content for warm(hot) weather but be advised, depending on how much beeswax, it doesn't want to spread below 70+-as it cakes and falls out. You can experiment as all you have to do is remelt everything to get the type(consistancy) you want. Very cheap to make when you live in beekeeper country like I do........Good shooting, Mike